Red Carpets, Champagne, And Where’s The Buffet?

From Málaga to nan Pacific Coast — No Planes, Part II

Stepping onto nan Queen Mary 2, disbelief deed maine for illustration a oversea breeze: a reddish carpet virtually rolled retired arsenic if I were royalty returning from exile. No barking information guards, nary metal-detector interrogations, nary stink-eyes – conscionable soft, soothing voices: “Welcome aboard! Everything is ready. Leave your wallet successful nan safe and enjoy.” (Yes, I whitethorn person hugged someone.) By then, I was judge I’d died and gone to heaven. Oh, what a beauty – seriously, personification pinch maine earlier I do my moonwalk.

It took astir 2 hours to scope my stateroom – not because it was far, but because I couldn’t extremity gawking. Every area demanded attention: expansive staircases, polished wood panelling, carpets excessively elegant to measurement on, and decorations screaming, “luxury pinch a wink.” By nan clip I reached my cabin, I had filled 2 gigabytes connected my camera – arsenic if I wouldn’t person 7 days to return much photos. Looking back, I astir apt resembled a hillbilly discovering a golden wealth – rima open, eyes wide, and snapping photos of everything that gleamed.

Then came nan expansive reveal. A pavilion overlooked Southampton Port, a chilled vessel of champagne waited, a vase of roses connected nan desk, and a towel twisted into thing vaguely resembling a swan (or seal – it had nan correct spirit). I wanted to cry.

“Yes,” I whispered, “I made it to my stateroom!” Tears swelled, nan orchestra successful my caput played, and I thought, Life is beautiful.

Almost 5 p.m. – clip to group sail! A farewell statement connected nan aft platform promised unrecorded music, champagne, and impeccably linened people. I navigated nan labyrinthine corridors, half-running, half-prancing for illustration personification who had accidentally won a luxury cruise successful a raffle. I made it successful clip to activity my manus for illustration a lonely king.

The magic of nan Queen Mary 2: moreover alone, you consciousness nan world is waving goodbye. Then a applicable sound whispered, “This is each emotional… but where’s nan buffet?”

On my quest for nan buffet, I sewage mislaid again. This time, I stumbled upon nan Commodore Club – Deck 9 Aft – a gorgeous barroom astatine nan front. The infinitesimal I opened nan door, nan position deed maine for illustration champagne bubbles. I felt for illustration I was astatine nan bridge, sipping martinis while nan Atlantic stretched endlessly ahead. Steering nan Queen Mary 2 yourself? Possible… if you don’t spill your drink. (Note: I whitethorn person confused nan martini for nan compass).

After a fewer martinis – stirred and shaken arsenic nan waters grew unsmooth – my soul sound returned: “Where’s nan buffet?” Only past did it deed me: successful each my excitement, disbelief, and joyousness astatine yet stepping aboard nan Queen Mary 2, I hadn’t eaten a due repast successful astir 12 hours.

Next stop: unfastened ocean, large waves, and nan eventual trial of balance, bravery… and buffet strategy. (Pro tip: ever battalion snacks.)

To beryllium continued…